the obama administration is toughening its message to president mubarak, but this is an awkward diplomatic straddle, trying to support the protesters without undermining other arab leaders, fearful that they could be next. as the protests grow, so does the white house pressure on mubarak. without calling for egypt's leader to step down, the message is clear. >> i do believe orderly transition means change. what they have advocated from the very beginning is that the way egypt looks and operates must change. >> reporter: the u.s. wants mubarak to negotiate with opposition groups, cancel a 1981 law outlawing political organizations, guarantee that presidential elections are free and fair, and free political prisoners. a message the president delivered to mubarak himself and is now being reinforced by a veteran retired diplomat, former ambassador to egypt, frank wisner. >> we have asked him to add his perspective to our analysis on current developments. he has traveled to cairo, is on the ground now. >> reporter: it is a delicate dance. at a white house meeting today, one official is quoted a